Farm Bureau

By Chastity Welch

Carroll County Farm Bureau Manager

As of January 3, changes have been made for commercial motor vehicle drivers and cell phones. The ban applies to farmers who have a U.S. Dept of Transportation number. If you are required to have such a number, this applies to you!  Even if you do not have this number but are required by law to have the number, it still applies to you.

This also applies directly to drivers involved in intrastate commerce (hauling in Illinois) if the vehicle they drive is required to be placecarded. This ban will be applied to all hand-held mobile telephones while driving a commercial truck or bus.

 Drivers can use a hands-free device, such as one equipped with Bluetooth technology or voice activated calling system. Basically you have to be able to answer the phone or dial with only pushing a button. The voice recognition where you ask your phone to call someone is the best in staying out of trouble.

 As a reminder any farm truck or truck trailer combination of 10,001 pounds or more is considered to be a commercial vehicle and most farmers are considered to be interstate carriers (hauling across state lines).

 Drivers face federal civil penalties of up to $2750 for each violation and a disqualification from operating a commercial motor vehicle for multiple offenses.  Companies that allow drivers to use hand-held call phones while driving will face a maximum penalty of $11,000. 

 We have been busy scheduling programs. The most important for us sports fans is our trip to see the Chicago Cubs play! This year we are going to Wrigley Field again. I have to say that honestly their schedule this year at either Wrigley or Miller Park didn’t really fit with what we have done in the past. We are going to see the Cubs play the Diamondbacks on Friday, July 13^th at Wrigley. The game is a 1:20 p.m. game. We will again be sitting in the terrace reserved infield. Cost will be $70 for members and $75 for non-members. Reservations can now be made by calling our office at 815-244-3001.

 The Carroll County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee will be sponsoring a blood drive with the American Red Cross on Monday, February 20^th in the Naaman Diehl Auditorium from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Appointments can be made by calling our office at 815-244-3001. Give the gift of blood and make an appointment to give.

 The Foundation Scholarship applications are now available on our website at www.carrollcfb.org.  The deadline for applications is Friday, March 23, 2012. The Foundation will be giving out three $1000 general ag scholarships and a $1000 Harold Schmidt Memorial Forestry scholarship. Agriculture employs 1 out of every 5, so remember this as your student is considering if their degree choice qualifies!

Plans have been finalized for the 2012 Northern Illinois Wine Trail sponsored by the Carroll, JoDaviess, and Stephenson County Farm Bureaus. The trail will be held on Saturday, April 21.  The five participating wineries include: Silver Moon Winery, Famous Fossil Winery, Galena Cellars, Massbach Ridge Winery, and Rocky Waters Winery. Tickets are $25 and will get you tastings at all 5 wineries. Tickets can be obtained by contacting one of the County Farm Bureaus listed above.

Food Checkout Week is coming up February 19-25.  This is the week in which the average American has earned enough income to pay for their yearly food supply. There is a lot of talk and focus on being healthier. Trust me it has even hit our house! I now buy turkey bacon. I once told someone that buying turkey bacon is as close to being vegetarian as I will ever get! I apologize to you vegetarians but I was raised a carnivore. I mean come on, bacon is not supposed to come from turkey, it comes from pigs!

Anyhow….I have gotten off topic! Farm Bureau is helping consumers find solutions to eating healthy on a stretched budget. America’s farmers and ranchers are committed to producing safe, abundant, and healthy food. Farmers and their families eat the same food you eat, so it is very important for them to ensure our food supply is safe.

Just recently the food pyramid has been changed to my plate. If you go to www.choosemyplate.gov you will see the plate. There are also tips for adding more fruits and vegetables into your family’s diet without breaking the bank along with information on eating healthy on a budget.

Now that you have developed the policy for the coming year, where do you go from here?  It is you, the member, that can set the pace for agriculture and become an advocate to make your voice heard.  In fact, your Illinois Farm Bureau policy #86, Involvement of Members in Farm Bureau, provides you with some guidance to start:

           The thinking, direction and support of all members are needed in our organization.  We urge active involvement of men and women of all ages in the committee structure on the state and county level.  We will continue efforts to strengthen county and state member programs to enhance the value of Farm Bureau membership.

It is not hard.  All it takes a little basic training.  Attend the Illinois Farm Bureau Governmental Affairs Leadership Conference February 29-March 1 to learn more about your policies and your role as an advocate.  Learn what issues to take aim at, how to scale the obstacles between you and your elected officials, and how to mobilize your team for victory.  In other words, you’ll learn how to be all you can be!

Don’t forget tonight, Wednesday, February 8^th, is the Black Hills trip presentation in the Naaman Diehl Auditorium at 7 p.m. The trip to the Black Hills takes place in September of this year. We are finalizing plans for a trip to Australia and New Zealand the end of January/beginning of February 2013. An informational meeting on that trip will be held in